The root of the economic problems in France are because of the negative birth rate and a very expensive entitlement system. As more people age, who is left to pay taxes. This is only the beginning...

Paul, Louisville, USA

Where is Madame Guillotine when you need her? And is there not such a thing as 'duress' when these kidnapped bosses agree to terms in order to be freed? I can't believe that these people go free after kidnapping their boss.

David, Raleigh, USA

I only wish U.S. workers had this sort of courage. Instead, we sit by, hoping our jobs aren't outsourced, while we watch our friends and neighbors' jobs outsourced or they get replaced by cheap "guest workers". At the rate we are going, we're going to see 25% unemployment this summer.

Mike Brooks, Eugene, OR, USA

Why are these people not arrested??? This is a crime!
I haven't gotten a pay increase in two years, but I am not going to trash my office! France is circling the drain...

Ted, Atlanta, USA

So the French children [workers - and I use that term lightly] stomp their feet, throw a tantrum and break their toys. When you ignore them - as any parent might ignore the child in the middle of the room lyig on the floor and screaming - they break your furniture. We should admire this behaviour?

Bob, Davison, MI, USA

Once there was a goose that laid the golden egg. Everything was fine until the greedy people started to reach into the goose to extract the egg they thought they deserved.

One day, they reached in too deep and killed the goose and you know the rest or you soon will.

tosh nakashima, morgan hill, USA

Utility firm workers caught carrying out this kind of potentially dangerous nonsense should be dismissed from their jobs on the grounds of abuse of their positions.

Andy, Perth,

The Unions are what got the US in this trouble. Do away with capitalism and you might as well live in Cuba or Venezuela.

Lee Ruth S., Athens, USA

They may be on the way back from where Obama is taking the US. No one else sees the Irony. Union and wage protection no matter what the cost, medical for all and taxes to make sure the ambitious pay for those who just want to the state to care of the

Charlie , LA, USA

Overwhelmed at the ignorance of most of these comments. Too depressed to contribute, its like trying to carry on a reasonable debate a room full of cranky old men.Get out and do something constructive. Pick up a book and learn something. Apologies to those who left decent comments- bravo for trying

kat, marseilles, france

By the way, the health system in France isnt FREE. We pay for it, big time, in our taxes.

kat, marseilles, france

I'm off to to the south of France for my summer holidays - great weather, scenery, great food and wine. Of course I'll be filling up with Diesel before leaving England and taking emergency supplies in the car in case the (French) ferry company staff go on strike!

Stephen, London, England

Socialism has turned once-great France into a hellhole, especially Paris, my least favorite city (been there too often). Chronic double-digit unemployment, Arab youth gangs who don't give a damn about the cops, and union strikes that constantly shut down services. I prefer capitalist Hong Kong.

Adam Smith, Omaha, USA

"History of revolt?" is not appropriate.

But this isn't "a movement from the bottom," as one wag said: this is a "revolt" of a handful of already highly coddled and hugely overpaid government employees against a growing army of unemployed and underemployed...against the people.

Chris. Fulker, Jiji Township, Nantou County, Taiwan

France, the country that has brought you the modern Warsaw Ghetto's, except this time they are full of muslims, not Jews. France, the country that gives all citizens health care, but you are lucky to own 1 car per family and will never own anything of value. If not for the food, it wouldn't exist..

Brock, Dallas, Tx

The new menage-a-trois is the government and unions, with the taxpayers taking it up the Hershey highway.
Liberals and socialists, what a vulgar lot.
Grow a set and leave everyone alone.

Piscopo, Detroit, USA

France is a wonderful country. Been there many times. Great food, great medical care, and a relaxed lifestyle. Socialism and Capitalism mixed together is the way of the future. Western Europe has figured it out. I like to have lots of time to travel like Europeans do. Life is short. Enjoy!

Robert , Kew Gardens, USA

If they are getting their jobs outsourced, then they should stop at nothing to change this practice. Free trade is destroying the West. The capitalists are de-industrializing the West and maybe the unions can help save us. We're running out of time.

d lominac, virginia beach, usa

French workers have a say as opposed to how labor in the US has been dismantled and left powerless to the forces of big corporate interests. It is ironic how many ignorant people in the US are still sympathetic to the perverse corporate interest that are dismantling their society. Shame on ignorance

John McCain, Crawford, Texas , USA

The French ,in the German invasion, suffered about the same level of casualties as Ameirca did in all of WWII. The system was rotten, the citizens disheartened but they had been bled out in the First World War.

lynn, Minneapolis, United States of America

France is doomed to perpetual anarchy. They are not at peace with others becasue they are not first at peace with themselves.
Another fine example of a population that has been spoiled by cradle to grave nanny state policies. I guess two world wars, multiple revolutions have not convinced them yet.

Chris Landreneau, Buford, GA, USA

When Obama the Great rules the world these French socialist workers will finally have real leadership. Oui-we-Can-can.

Gary, San Antonio, USA

I would come out on national TV and say ok you want a raise of 10% fine I will give you one but I will give everyone in France a 10% raise since it would be unfair to give it only to you guys. The end result of course would be no change but they could not say it wasnt fair.

Frank Griffin, Charlotte, USA

Kurt, Topeka-Thanks for the smile. I highly enjoy when people portray classical stereotypes. Now please go finish my grande mocha latte before your manager decides you need to use that philosophy degree for a new career. Leave this stuff for the grown-ups to hash out. Best Wishes to France!

Leslie, Atlanta, GA, USA

Those who wish to rob Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul, but will end up with a sore Peter.

Clay, Selah, USA

Such is the consequence of an entitlement society. God help the US as we sprint down the road of Socialism. We MUST give the people more of their money back, cut taxes, cut gov't spending, and encourage greater personal responsibility. How much more can we sustain?

Jason, DC, USA

This is why many travelers give Paris a wide berth and instead fly into London, Frankfurt or Zurich. French labor is simply unreliable and they have no regard for anything or anyone but themselves. The ongoing economic collapse will reveal much about the limits of the French consumer's patience..

Bob Grier, Atlanta, USA

Oliver Wendell Holmes said: "The mind once stretched can never go back to its original position." Such industrial action has yielded results in the past; why not now?
While I do not condone the innocent having to suffer, yet with all the outsourcing going on overseas, the innocent citizens suffer!

George Masters, Anchorage, U.S.A.

What do you expect from a Socialist system where everyone feels entitled? These are the same folks who protested when they talked about extending the work week to 40 hours. These are the same people who demand the entire month of August off. Enjoy-

Paul Arbayr, Fayetteville , USA

I always root for management when people strike. There's nothing like seeing yourself fired, replaced by lower-wage workers, or the business closing its doors and moving to make you feel useless. Enjoy-

Paul Arbayr, Fayetteville , USA

They need to place the military on call to react to these people and take the place of the striking workers that want to complete the destruction of what was once a proud and worthy nation. They need to bring back the French Royalty. The militants should be sent to an island penal colony.

Thomas-in-Newport , Newport, NC , USA

I didn't realize that France had a free heath service. I was under the impression that France had an excellent heath system but it was not cheap. One had to pay for what you got although the infrastructure was excellent. What are the criteria that determine whether this service is free or for hire?

Neal, East Lansing, U.S.A.

Kurt, Topeka, U.S. - A philosophy major? That means nothing. The GOP hasn't adopted Ayn Rand. BUT the conservative movement has realized how far we have drifted from The Constitution of the United States of America and the belief in personal freedom and responsibility. Down with socialism!

Thomas-in-Newport, Newport, NC, USA

“We’ve been on strike for three weeks but at first no one paid any attention at all, it was only when some of the guys started cutting the electricity and gas that things got moving.”

Translation: we have to break things because we're so useless that nobody cared when we just stopped working.

John Satclaire, New York, USA

I heard that Liberalism could be described as an infant that doesn't get its way. It first cries, then screams, and when that doesn't work, it starts hitting. This isn't about being heard; these "activists" are prepared to use force against the innocent and should be spanked out of their tantrum.

Jason Narcim, Milpitas,

This is not even robbing Peter to pay Paul. This is robbing Peter and Paul then paying Jim to stab Mary. The perpetrators should be in jail, not getting pay checks. At what point do French workers stop feeling entitled?

Mike , Houstin , USA

How do these people that are shutting the power off, get more backing when they do it? This won't last much longer.

cv, whittier, usa

Cutting off power and other acts of economic sabotage by unions is the natural conclusion of a national policy that decriminilizes the kidnapping of business managers/owners during labor disputes.

David Woodruff, Seattle, USA

This is nothing more but the natural end product of Socialism. Politicans gain power by taking money from the producers and distributing it to the moochers eventually run out of other people's money and then act shocked when the moochers won't settle for less and indeed demand more, more more.

Allen Helton, Newport, USA

Really, an Atlas Shrugged quip. As a philosophy major, I would like to inform you and all others in America that have recently adopted, thanks to the GOP, Ayn Rand as their savior. Her arguments are unsound and based on a false perception of mankind. Please don't be fooled by the GOP.

Kurt, Topeka, U.S.

To Simon, Paul, Jack and foes. I am always amused by Americans spitting their clichés about the French always surrendering. And then I remember those are the ones who took George Bush as an intellectual, reelected him, and probably don't know who won their independance war.

Titi, Lyon, France

A little info for our unjustifiably smug friends from across the pond - France gives its citizens a world-beating health service free to all at the point of delivery, an excellent public education system, 180 mph trains, great quality of life and a low crime rate. Ring any bells? - thought not!

Graeme, Dinan, France

In the western world, revolution is coming whether we want it or not. The growing animosity between people on the political left and the political right is becoming unbridgeable. It seems that the two are not really interested in getting along anymore.

Chad, Dallas, United States

This is the natural progression of Socialism! Anyone with half a brain should be watching in horror as the current administration is trying to take us down this Socialist road to hell. No matter how many times it has been tried, Socialism does not work.

Tammy, brentwood, ca, USA

Ah, the fruits of a society where the sense of morality has been replaced with a swollen sense of entitlement. I hope the left in America is watching. Although once France goes to hell I’m sure the media will portray the French govt. as “right wing”.

rob, Tacoma, USA

So they went on strike but nobody noticed for 3 weeks! So the had to start breaking the equipment to get some attention. Nice jobs they have, don't even have to move a finger it appears. But they want a raise!

Ivan, Washington, US

They may, perhaps, be just a bit further down the same road we are travelling.

Brian, Austin, USA

When power is vested in the hands of people other than those able to create jobs, make investments and encourage productivity, those that can will stop. If this is an example of Europeon solcialism, keep it there. Atlas will shrug again.

Tim, Waukesha, WI, USA

I wish the unions here in the US attempted such illegal,childish tactics. They would get a big slap in the face. The American public would not tolerate such behavior.

Garth Whittington, Houston, USA

Perhaps Western Governments should stop outsourcing employment, stop importing foreign workers, and stop the influx of unskilled labor. You're going to cause chaos among the indigenous populations during times such as these. It's not meant to be xenophobic, but to protect people's lives.

Will, Philadelphia, PA

Liquidity and health of financial institutions comes from cash deposits. Real cash comes from making things of value. The ability to produce value has been destroyed by 60 years of socialism pushed onto major producers. Remove the unions and social welfare reqmts and we get rich like the chinese.

Charles, Champagne-Urbana, IL, USA

I feel sorry for the French. They have become a nation of folks with their hands outstretched for free government entitlements.

3 1/2 more years of Obama and we'll be right there with them. Human progress will slow to a crawl and we will have no inovation left to call upon.

Wally, Dallas, USA

The shallowness and shortsightedness of such actions is typical of those people who think Communisim is a good idea.

Stephen, Austin, Texas, USA

Brian, Marcellus, - you must be the product of a modern liberal arts college. 2% do NOT control 98% of the wealth. Texas, North Carolina, Florida listed as Top CAPITALIST states and California, New York, Michigan Are the Worst. Guess which 3 states have highest unemployment? (chiefexecutive.net)

Jim, Los Angeles, CA

I find it interesting that the government emplyees who engaged in criminal behavior are described as "activists" by the reporter of this story. I am a public employee in the U.S., and I can't imagine wishing to harm the people who have long paid for my salary and my benefits. Unfathomable.

Susan, Seattle, USA

You've gotta give it to the French,they don't mess about do they when it comes to direct action.

shaun, leeds, uk

Sanja , are you for real; would you rather have the US system where 2% of the population own 98% of the wealth?

Brian, Marcellus, USA

Its coming to the US unless we act now!

END THE SPECIAL INTEREST STATE - SHRINK GOVERNMENT- ENACT TERM LIMITS TO TOSS THE PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS/CROOKS OUT!!!

colby, Chicago, USA

The U.S. is currently considering the Employee Free (or Forced depending on your view) Choice Act. I sent this article to Sen Webb(VA) and Sen Warner(VA) telling them that government endorsement of unions and the re-unionization of America would look just like this.

RT Greenwood, Greenwood, VA, USA

After the 'Card Check' legislation goes through and everyone is unionized, we can look forward to that.

Rob, Stanely, NY,

You want to make someone very angry? Take away a benefit that they never paid for.

That is Europe's current problem, and after President Obama is done with the USA, it'll be America's problem too.

Jim, Los Angeles, USA

I'll approve of their 10% pay raise as soon as I get one.

sss, Paris,

So much of this is due to the immense leadership void that we have worldwide. People want leaders who will promise them something for nothing without holding them accountable for anything. Liberalism has failed...take heed America before its too late...

Joe, Dallas, USA

This is what happens when people think other people owe them something.

Sanja L, Chicago IL, USA

Who will win when both sides suddenly surrender?

jack, South Jersey, USA

I surprised that the French government hasn't surrendered yet.

Paul P, Orlando, USA

People should stop to consider something, as we watch situations like this one, in France, and the clear divisions that are developing between various elements in societies and economies around the world. How many great societies and empires, throughout history, thought they would live forever?

Eric, Huntington Beach, USA

Stand strong proletariat! Freedom for the workers and chains for the bourgeois! Or maybe the French could start working 40 hours a week.

Greg S, Rio Rico AZ, USA

And this is the direction the US is going if Obama continues to get his way. Someone quipped, "Rob Peter to pay Paul and you gain the support of Paul." 95% of you Pauls are going to get a tax cut, Obama promises, and you Peters who represent the other 5% will pay for it.

Eric, Tucson, AZ, US

So interestingly, I can not see this happening in the states without union members getting stomped. Bizarre behavior to say the least. Good luck to them I suppose if that is what they want, I'd prefer free markets and capitalism personally. Liberty!

John, Elgin, USA

And who is to pay for all of these demands? Silly children.

Bonnie, Stafford, USA

Unimaginable here you say? Just let things get a bit worse and see. And as for the French only being able to fight the French, I find it so convenient that every American forgets that without the help of the French Navy the American Revolutionary War would likely have turned out much different......

Ben Franklin, Cambridge, US

It will be very interesting to see the decline and fall of the liberal, socialist french system as competition from the far east continues. they can't hide behind taxing the producers while coddling the non-producers for ever. Eventually the golden goose will be killed off by that mentality

hank, Diluth, USA

It seems to me that Europeans, particularly the French, are the least adaptable people. Instead of flexibility in the economy and in each individual, they attempt to rigidly hold onto social standing and a particular job, even when market forces are against them. Eventually it gives way violently.

David L, Indianapolis, USA

And next, they'll be seizing ships and holding their crews for ransom.....ooops, wrong country.

Mark V, San Francisco, California,

so different. unimaginable here

Rob, Dallas, TX, U.S.

Is it just me, or does everyone else see that the only people that the French are good at fighting are, well, the French!

Simon, Orlando, USA